Somewhere around 6 to 9 months, your baby figures out how to sit up on their own. It doesn't last long. One week they're wobbly and toppling sideways, the next they're sitting like a tiny president and showing off every expression they've got. That's the sitter stage, and it's one of my favorite ages to photograph.
I keep these sessions relaxed. No forced smiles, no fighting a baby who'd rather chew on a prop than look at the camera. We work with whatever mood shows up that day, whether that's giggly and curious or a little unsure of this whole "sitting in front of a stranger" thing. Sessions happen in my Etters studio or at your home, whichever feels more comfortable for you and your little one.
If you're ready to capture this stage before it's gone, I'd love to help.
The first step is easy! Reach out and tell me a little about your little one. I'll answer any questions you have and help you figure out the best timing for their sitter session.
SAY HELLO
01.
Once you're ready to move forward, we'll pick a date, ideally once baby is sitting well but before they're cruising around. We'll complete your contract and pay your retainer to officially reserve your spot on my calendar.
RESERVE YOUR SESSION
02.
This is the fun part! I'll help with outfit choices, and you'll have access to my client closet if you want it. We'll also plan out any props or setups ahead of time so nothing feels last minute.
03.
PLAN THE DETAILS
Relax and let your baby be a baby. We'll pace the session around their mood and nap schedule so nobody's rushed or overstimulated. My goal is genuine expressions, not forced smiles.
YOUR SESSION
04.
Within a week, you'll receive your proofing gallery to select your favorite images. After you've made your selections, I'll hand-edit each photograph and deliver your final gallery, ready to download, print, and cherish for years to come.
YOUR GALLERY
05.
We found Kate shortly after we moved to the area while I was 6 months pregnant with our second. And we've been with her ever since!!! We did the full year with our second with her. We are now on number 3 and she has captured some of the most precious pictures of our family!
Kelsey S.
Kate is so amazing to work with!!! We will be using her for all of our families needs going forward!
- Alyssa M.
"Kate makes the entire experience seamless and stress-free from start to finish. She has a natural way of putting you at ease, making the shoot feel fun and relaxed rather than posed or forced. Her work truly speaks for itself. You won't be disappointed."
- Sallyann B.
Kate did an incredible job capturing our family photos. I shared my vision with her, and she went above and beyond to bring it to life. She was so patient with my kids and gave us the most beautiful golden hour session—plus a fast gallery turnaround! We’ll absolutely be using her again for future photos.
- Katie R.
"We have had family photos taken by Kate five times now and every session has been wonderful. She has a true gift with babies, patient, gentle, and always able to capture those sweet candid moments. We are always so happy with the photos we get back."
- Dana S.
"I am SO thankful I found Kate. She has done both my maternity and my daughter's newborn pictures. Life can be overwhelming days after welcoming a newborn, but Kate made the session so easy. From coming to our home to providing clothes from her client closet for the whole family, I couldn't be more thankful."
- Macie H.
The sweet spot is usually 6 to 9 months, once your baby can sit up on their own without support. Every baby hits this differently, so if you're not sure where yours is at, reach out and we can figure out timing together.
Your choice. I offer my studio in Etters, PA, or I can come to you for an in-home session. Both work well for this age, it really comes down to what feels most comfortable for your family.
Yes. My First Year Collection bundles newborn, sitter, and first birthday sessions together, so you get a cohesive set of milestones without booking each one separately.
We'll cover this ahead of time on a quick consult call, where I'll help you plan wardrobe and any accessories. You'll also have access to my client closet if you'd like extra outfit options.
Fill out the inquiry form on my website, and I'll personally follow up to help you choose the right session or collection, answer any questions, and send over next steps to reserve your date.
FAQ
Where will my sitter session take place?
When should I schedule my baby's sitter session?
Do you offer a First Year Collection that includes sitter sessions?
What should we bring or wear to the session?
How do I book my sitter session?
Do you travel outside of Central PA for sessions?
What if my baby won't sit still or gets fussy?
That's normal, and it's part of the fun at this age. I don't chase perfect poses or forced smiles. We follow your baby's mood, take breaks when needed, and work around naps and feeding times so nobody's pushed past their limit.
Yes. While most of my work happens in and around Central PA, I'm always open to traveling. A mileage fee applies for sessions more than 30 miles from 17370.
Ready to start planning more milestones? A cake smash session is the perfect way to celebrate your little one's first birthday!
Ready to get started?
My studio is located off I-83 in York Haven, PA and I travel throughout Central PA for in-home sessions. Fill out the form below and I will be back in touch within 24 hours. Can't wait to hear about your little one.
let's create
memories
yay!
You're one step closer to an incredible photography experience & absolutely stunning family memories!
You'll receive a response back within 24 hours. If you don't see something within that time frame, be sure to check your spam!
E-mails come from kate@katemccordphotography.com if you want to add that to your address book to avoid sending me to spam.